Algarve coastal town with a walled old centre and golden sandstone cliffs around Ponta da Piedade
Lagos is the main town on Portugal's Algarve coast — relaxed, genuinely pretty, and the best base for exploring the extraordinary sandstone cliffs and sea caves that make this stretch of coast one of the most photographed in Europe. The old town retains its character behind medieval walls, with a tangle of cobblestone streets, white-washed houses, and a central square busy with cafes. The beaches are within easy walking distance: Meia Praia to the east is a long flat arc of sand backed by dunes, while the more dramatic Praia Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade to the south are carved into the golden-ochre cliffs, accessible by path or by boat from the marina.
The city has a long and sometimes dark history. In 1444, the Praça do Infante Dom Henrique was the site of the first large-scale sale of enslaved Africans in Europe — a fact the town acknowledges with a small but sobering memorial. Henry the Navigator worked here, planning the Portuguese voyages of exploration from this part of the Algarve. The town walls, the Igreja de Santo António with its gilded baroque interior, and the Museu Municipal in the former monastery give the history some substance beyond sun and sand.
Lagos fills up considerably in summer, when its lively bar and restaurant scene comes into its own. The nightlife is concentrated along the waterfront and around the main square, catering heavily to the international backpacker crowd that passes through. Come in April or October for better weather, far fewer people, and the cliffs and beaches to yourself.
Guide
Eating Out in Lagos
Eating in Lagos is a wonderful experience. Much
like Mediterranean, Portuguese food is very rich and filling using lots
of seafood and simple spices where available. Lagos rests on the shoreline so seafood here is plentiful
and fresh. Restaurants in the area serve mostly Portuguese food though
some menus may serve fusion or other dishes.
Fine Dining
Fine dining in the area can be very expensive though some places are
more moderately priced. Price however is usually thought
of as a reflection of the food; the higher the price, the better the
food. One of the most expensive restaurants in Lagos is Restaurante dos
Artistas. This is a European restaurant that serves a combination of
cuisines including local food. You may end up spending $200 for a dinner for
two but for most, this is a price they are willing to spend for such
amazing food. The restaurant serves seafood regularly along with lamb,
beef and poultry dishes. They also have an extensive fine wine menu to
pair with your meal.
Moderately Priced
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great meal in Lagos.
Most restaurants in the area have fairly priced menus so that you can
get a little taste of Portugal without completely ruining your travel
funds. Most of these restaurants will serve you dinner at a price
around $20 a plate. One restaurant is Do Cais Bistro which has a
delicious menu that easily pleases most pallets. In the day, Do Cais
and their sister restaurant Linda’s serves sandwiches and salads at a
more than fair price. At night Do Cais has a different atmosphere and
their menu changes to a more profound pallet, serving steaks and
delicious seafood dishes.
Budget Dining
If even the moderately priced restaurants are too rich for your
blood, don’t threat. There are plenty of places that serve cheap food.
Usually the beach bars serve cheap but delicious food. Linda’s (Do
Cais’ sister restaurant) is there along with Bahia and Sao Roque. Peri
Peri Take away is in nearby Luz and has great Portugal food for less
than $10.You could also always opt for a complete liquid diet by
visiting all the great bars in the area!
